ODA Update
October 10, 2001

REVIEW OF MORE RECENT ACTION ON THE ODA

SUMMARY Here are the latest developments on the road to a strong, mandatory Ontarians with Disabilities Act: * On September 28, 2001, Citizenship Minister Cam Jackson wrote to the ODA Committee (see text of his letter or refer below for copy and paste of text). He thanks the ODA Committee for sending its detailed proposal for the ODA's contents to each member of the Legislature. He looks forward to our meeting to discuss the forthcoming legislation. We are now trying to finalize a date for the meeting, which hopefully will occur in the next two or three weeks. * On Monday, October 1, 2001, during a debate in the Ontario Legislature concerning the International Day of Older Persons, NDP MPP Shelley Martel pointed out steps that the Government could take to assist older persons. She included the need to pass the promised ODA. See excerpt below or follow this link. * On Wednesday, October, 3, 2001, during a debate in the Ontario Legislature on an unrelated piece of legislation, Liberal MPP Steve Peters, the former Liberal Disability Critic, reviewed a list of broken promises by the Harris Government. Among these was the 1995 promise to enact the ODA. See excerpt below or follow this link. * In the Wednesday, October 10, 2001, London Free Press, an excellent letter by ODA supporter Terry Smith was published. It praised the city of London for recently adopting new standards on accessibility for persons with disabilities, and urged the Ontario Government to do the same through the passage of the Ontarians with Disabilities Act. See this letter below. Congratulations to ODA supporters and others in the London area for getting that new policy adopted at the municipal level. * A public event on the Ontarians with Disabilities Act will be held in the Peel-Mississauga area on Friday, November 9, 2001 in connection with the Knights of Columbus organization. ODA Peel Regional Contact Chris Portelli will be speaking. See the announcement below. Please circulate it to people in that region who might be interested. * In response to our letter on the ODA to each member of the Legislature, we have received written responses from three MPPs so far. See the letters below from Conservatives Elizabeth Witmer and Frank Klees, and from Liberal David Caplan. There are now but 44 days until the November 23, 2001 deadline for a strong and effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act to be introduced, debated and passed into law. The Ontario Legislature unanimously fixed this deadline two years ago, with full support of the Harris Government. ***** Ministry of Citizenship Minister 6th Floor 400 University Avenue Toronto ON M7A 2R9 September 28, 2001 David Lepofsky c/o Marg Thomas Co-Chair Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee 1929 Bayview Avenue Toronto ON M4G 3E8 Dear Mr. Lepofsky: Thank you for your letter dated September 19th regarding my earlier invitation to arrange a meeting. Please be assured that no apology for any delay is needed. As indicated in my letter of June 27th, it was a pleasure to speak with you, Mr. Malkowski and Ms. Riback about the need for disability legislation, and I look forward to meeting again to discuss further details about some of the points that were raised at that meeting. Thank you, as well, for enclosing a copy of your letter to my colleagues in the legislature and the attached brief submitted by the Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee dated April 22, 1998. I have, of course, already studied in detail the thoughtful brief submitted by your committee, and know that my colleagues will appreciate the valuable background that your material provides. I look forward to your support of the proposed disability legislation that will be introduced this fall. Thank you again for writing to share information, and to confirm that you will be contacting my staff at (416) 325-6218 regarding arranging a meeting. Sincerely, Cam Jackson Minister c: The Honourable Michael D. Harris, Premier ***** Ontario Hansard Monday, October 1, 2001 (During statements regarding International Day of Older Persons) Ms Shelley Martel (Nickel Belt): It's a pleasure, on behalf of the New Democratic Party caucus, to pay tribute to Ontario's seniors today, the International Day of Older Persons, and it is fitting that in a very public way we salute the enormous contribution they have made to Ontario life. Through many years of work and commitment, they have built the public institutions like hospitals, like schools, like colleges and universities, which are so important to the quality of life in Ontario. We salute these seniors, and we urge them to continue to do the important work they do in our communities, providing expertise, providing knowledge, providing support to so many agencies, boards and commissions right across our communities. But it would be remiss on my part -- indeed, I think I would be negligent --if I didn't spend some time today pointing out how recent and not-so-recent decisions by this government really undermine the quality of life of seniors in our province. ... Finally, Minister, if you really wanted to do something, especially since you promised you would do this in 1995 -- a specific promise made by your Premier -- you would bring forward an Ontarians with Disabilities Act to truly protect disabled seniors in the province of Ontario. ***** Ontario Hansard Wed., October 3, 2001 Evening (During debate on Improving Customer Service for Road Users Act, 2001) Mr Peters: I won't be supporting this legislation, and I think we need to be conscious of what this government has done with the privatization of services in this province. This government constantly stands up and praises the great things that they're doing with the privatization of services, but who's the first to sound the alarm bell when it comes to the privatization of services? It's the Provincial Auditor. The auditor in his 1999 report showed that the privatization of highways had not saved any money and may ultimately result in significant increases in the cost of highway maintenance. What we're going to see out of this privatization is higher costs and less service for the good citizens of this province. We've seen some of the other effects and where this government's agenda is taking us when it comes to privatization. We're seeing the direction that the government has gone with the jails. We've seen where they're going with air ambulances. We've seen the drastic effect on this province of the implementation of privatization and what's happened in Walkerton. 1930 This government talks -- they're up touting the Blueprint and promises made and everything else -- but let's cite some promises made and promises not kept that have had a direct impact on the citizens of this province. A promise made in 1995: no cuts to agriculture. In July 1995, right after the election, $14 million right out of the budget of agriculture. Boom, just like that. On May 24, 1995, Mike Harris promises in writing, "We will implement an Ontarians with disabilities act." Well, we're still waiting. The clock is ticking. ***** London Free Press Wed., Oct. 10, 2001 Letters to the Editor City accessibility plan greeted with approval Congratulations to London city council for unanimously passing the Facilities Accessibility Design Standards document. It sets standards that will remove most barriers for the disabled community in the future. It is reassuring the present city council has the vision to ensure all future city buildings and properties will be accessible to all Londoners. This is an important step to making London an inclusive city. My hope is the provincial government will follow this direction and pass a strong, effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act in November. However, before that, they should hold open barrier- free public hearings on the contents of this bill, in order to give all Ontarians an opportunity to voice their valued opinions. Rest assured, other communities will look toward London for direction and we should be proud of this. Terry Smith London ***** Upcoming ODA Event in the Mississauga Area Have you, a loved one or someone you know been touched by a disability or illness, which rendered them unable to fulfil a normal life within Ontario? If you answered yes to the above question then come out on: Friday, November 9. From 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm. At Erin Meadows Community Centre, corner of Erin Centre Drive and Glen Erin Drive-connected to St. Aloysius Gonzaga High School. Find out why we and all of Ontario would benefit from an Ontarians with Disabilities Act. An ODA would not only benefit the disabled community but also the abled one as it would save time, money and aggravation for all. This forum will include information on: - When the ODA movement began - Why it is needed - Who is responsible for the enactment of it - Where the three provincial parties stand. - How you can help to secure the ODA Guest speaker will be Chris Portelli, the Peel, Halton, Dufferin O.D.A. representative. For more information please contact: Brother Ray Bechard: 905-569-1422 Brother Chris Portelli: 905-826-0340 Event sponsored by: The Knights of Columbus Councils of Mississauga ***** Minister Hon. Elizabeth Witmer Minister of the Environment 12th Floor 135 St. Clair Avenue West Toronto ON M4V 1P5 Tel (416) 314-6790 Fax (416) 314-6748 September 28, 2001 Mr. M. David Lepofsky, C.M. Chair, ODA Committee c/o Marg Thomas 1929 Bayview Avenue Toronto ON M4G 3E8 Dear Mr. Lepofsky Thank you for your letter dated September 18, 2001 regarding a new disability legislation to be introduced into the Legislature this fall. I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to send your comments and information to me and shall be mindful of your input. Sincerely, Elizabeth Witmer, MPP Minister ***** Ontario FRANK KLEES, MPP Oak Ridges October 1, 2001 Mr. David Leposky, C.M. Chair, ODA Committee Ontarians with Disabilities Act Committee c/o Marg Thomas 1929 Bayview Avenue Toronto, Ontario M4G 3E8 Dear Mr. Leposky, Thank you for your letter of September 18, 2001 regarding Ontarians with Disabilities Act. I appreciate the forwarded material and your input on this important legislation and can assure you that I have noted your concerns and will give them my consideration. Kindest regards, Frank Klees, M.P.P. Oak Ridges ***** Legislative Assembly DAVID CAPLAN M.P.P. Queen's Park Office Main Legislative Building Toronto Ontario M7A 1A4 September 28, 2001 Mr. David Lepofsky, C.M. Chair, ODA Committee Ontarians With Disabilities Act Committee 1929 Bayview Ave. Toronto, ON M4G 3E8 Dear Mr. Lepofsky: I want to thank you for writing to me regarding a strong and effective Ontarians with Disabilities Act. I found the information you provided to be very informative. If you have any other material you would like to forward to my office, please do so. My colleague Mr. Ernie Parsons M.P.P. and Liberal Critic for the Disabled has been very supportive of strong and effective ODA. I want to assure you that I am supportive of your efforts and will continue to be. Again, thank you for writing to me regarding the ODA. Sincerely, David Caplan M.P.P. Don Valley East

 

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Last updated October 10, 2001